Dr Matthew Buckley

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Scientific Background

Research Interests

I am an experimental psychologist with a broad interest in learning and memory, but much of my theoretical work has focused on understanding the spatial representations and learning processes that govern navigation. Currently I am interested in how spatial representations exert control over memories for events in the past, and vice versa. I conduct studies in the laboratory and online by creating novel behavioural procedures, and reverse-translating rodent paradigms, in which participants navigate through 3D virtual environments. I apply the knowledge generated from this theoretical work to understand cognitive decline in healthy and pathological ageing, with a particular focus on predicting Alzheimer’s Disease, and the developmental trajectories of spatial learning in childhood. I also conduct studies that seek to understand the neural substrates of spatial learning through neuroimaging techniques.

Research Groups

Aston Brain Health Cohort Study (ABaHCoS)

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Collaborative, engaged, approachable.

Provision of Training

A PhD under my supervision will feel like a research apprenticeship. We will meet more regularly early on in the project as you build your skills and confidence, but as the PhD progresses you will come to realise that you have the ability to complete some tasks (e.g., data analysis) without needing my help.

Progression Monitoring and Management

We will plan and conduct research collaboratively. I would like regular (e.g., weekly) updates on progress, not to monitor your progression per se, but because I'm interested in the data/findings of your experiments.

Communication

I am happy to chat about anything you need/want to discuss, whether it is related to the project or not. At this moment in my life meetings on campus have to be planned around the days/times I am on childcare duty (e.g., school drop-off and pick-up), but we can always talk online, and I am usually quick to reply to emails.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per fortnight. These meetings will be a mixture of face-to-face and via video chat or telephone. I am usually contactable for an instant response 3 or 4 days per week.

Work Patterns

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings) I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 weeks' notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Project Title

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Project Title

Secondary Supervisor(s):

University of Registration:

BBSRC Research Themes:

Sustainable Agriculture and Food (Animal Health and Welfare, Microbial Food Safety, Plant and Crop Science)
Renewable Resources and Clean Growth (Bio-energy, Industrial Biotechnology)
Understanding the Rules of Life (Immunology, Microbiology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, Plant Science, Soil Science, Stem Cells, Structural Biology, Systems Biology)
Integrated Understanding of Health (Ageing, Diet and Health, Pharmaceuticals, Regenerative Biology)

Project Outline

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Co-supervisor on a project / projects with supervisor name + link.